Portable visual and electric traffic signal



Aug. 1951 M. H. NUSBAUM ETAL 2,564,170

PORTABLE VISUAL AND ELECTRIC TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed 1949 INVENT0R3 M H-NUSBA D L: BEALL A"'TORNEY.

Patented Aug. 14, 1951 harem orric e TORTAB%%XZ%AELECTRTC Maynard li.Nasuaum, Elkhart, and Donald {L. Beall, Goshe'n, 'lnda; said Beallassignor 'to said Nusbaum aesthetics ot-tuber s, 19%, eer-in No.artist-i;

6 Claims. (01. lav -e29) 2 l intense-i1 relates to signalling and moreparticularly to a visual signal acapted for use on a roadway or the liketo warn or the mrox irh'ity or construction "work, hazardousoo'ndit'iohs, or 'the like. Heretofore na types and supported n one wayshave been employed to w tn the drivers of vehicles anproachingconstruction work of the necessity for accustom with haution. Sirnrlarsigns have also been used for "other -pu uses, including warn :ings torcrossings, schools: and the like.

m eduently the need to! indicators of this type a given nos o'n ofre'lialt'ivel3, short can For pie, in the construction or high ways,installation of pipe lines and the like, the progress of the workrequires that the warning muicators be moved fromtime to time, often asmuch as everyday or perhaps every few hon-rs. in some situations, asignal is only required "for a short period "of time and in -suchinstances the cost or erecting a suitable one often out of proportion tothe use required.

it is often necessary to provide a for anproaching rivers to read duringthe day time and a light or the like to supplement the sign during thehours of darkness. This problem has been only partially met up to thepresent time by the provision of separate types of signals for day andnight necessarily requiring additional expenditure and trans-portingproblems. the past portable trafiic signals have been used, but thesehave not proven entirely s'atis iactory because they include no easymeans for their transportation.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide avisual signal in which the above described deficiencies are overcome.

A further object of the invention is to provide easily movable signalwhich combines a signal light for night use witha sign for impartinginformation to those approaching the same.

A further object of the invention ,is to provide a combined signaladapted for night andday use having its own source otpower, and which iscapable or bein easily moved. I I

A -st-ill further object of the invention is the provision of an easilymovable signal for night and day use which is inexpensive to manufactureand durable in construction.

it further object of the invention isthe ip ro Vision of a signarmemamga mine, which is particularly adapted roman-ting a conventional wet cellbattery as a source of power and without leakage of fluid from thebattery during movement.

nd signs of various '5 Further object's and advantages of the inventionwill he 'apuarent from the following "descri-U- -tion "taken in"conjunction with the accompanylhgdrawings, wherein:

Fig. -1 is a front elevation "of a device coniimrcted in accordance withthe present inven- "0 2, "a section on the line 2+2 of 1 Fig. 3., anisometric of-the main framework can 'structfon; and;

4, a detail of the battery support.

Jeferring to the drawing, the signal device comprises a 'substantia-llytrapezoidal horizontally disposed main frame of angle iron or -otherstructural members including a longer base member or front portion l 0,a-shorter 'base member or rear portion 1 I:, and sides IE and .13,Parallel bridging members or "struts H extend {perpendicularly from theextremities of the base member 1 l to the base member 40 and are rigidlysecured thereto. The elements of the frame described are securedtogether *byjsuitable means such as bolts, rivets, welding or the liketo providea rigid -struoture. -Al-though the frame is ;i-llustrated assubstantially trapezoidal, it isunderstood that other desiredconfigurations may be employed;

Depending arms 16, rigidly secured to the extrerniti-esof the frontmember 0-, are provided with aligned apertures l8 positioned below thesides 12 and H3 for the reception of a supporting xle I Wheels 25] areJournaled upon the axle it adj-aee nt the extremities thereof andexteriorly of the main supporting frame. To maintain the supportingframe in a horizontal position when at :rest therear basemember I i ispreferably provided with a pair oi-legs 2i v I 7 A vertically disposedstandard 2.2 which maybe of rectangular cross-section or of otherdesired configuration is mounted with an extremity upon the front framemember 1!! and substantially centrallyof its length. Suitable angularbraces 23 extending from the standard to the member 10 are provided forinsuring rigidity of the structure andsuitable fastening means such asbolts, welding or the like may be utilized for securing the standard inposition. I

signal light 24 is mounted upon the upper extremity orthe standard 22.Preferably this includes a casing :25 having a depending bearing portion26 receivable within a cap 21 which surrounds the upper extremity of thestandard 22, We r ning-thi an n posi i n-H h be l enii e lzi..-isr e ebe within e can 21 to permit adjustment of the direction of the beamthereof. A suitable source of electrical energy for the signal light isprovided, and will be hereinafter more fully described.

The signal light is visible from either direction and may be providedwith appropriate lenses to indicate caution or danger or otherwise. Thestandard 22 preferably carries a second visual signal or marker bearingan appropriate legend indicating the specific conditions existent at thepoint where the device is placed. This second signal may be in the formof a substantially flat sign 28, and may be legible from one or moredirections as desired. It is secured beneath the signal light 24 and onthe side of the standard away from the means of bolts 29 extendingthrough the sign and the standard. A substantially U-shaped handle 30having threaded extremities issecured to the sign 28 adjacent the upperextremity thereof and projecting away from the standard by means offastening elements 3| toeassist in the moving and positioning of thedevice.

To impart additional strength and rigidity to the standard and mainframe assembly and to provide a support for a battery, a secondarysupporting frame is provided. This comprises a member 32 transverselysecured at its midpoint. to the standard 22. Attached to the extremitiesof the member 32 is a pair of angularly disposed bracing members 33which ar secured to the rear frame member ll between the frame sidemembers and the bridging members I l. Angularly disposed struts 33'extend from the bracing members 33 to the adjacent bridging members.

Rod members 34 having threaded ends 35 secured to the bridging membersl4 respectively. by

means of bolts or the like 36 are provided to support a source ofelectrical energy such as a storage battery B. Each of the rods extendsupward substantially perpendicularly to the members I4 and has an offsetend portion 31 extending through the strut members 33' to provide asupport for the battery.

The battery is carried by means of an upwardly open U-shaped strap 38the extremities of which extend outwardly from its sides and double backto provide ears 39 having suitable aligned apertures 40 for thereception of the offset end portion 31. Retaining means such as cotterpins M are provided at the ends of the rods. A rectangular support 42 iscarried by the lower and central portion of the U-shaped strap toprovide an extended-supporting surface for the battery, and arectangular'frame 53 is attached to the upper portion of the strap bymeans of lugs 44 through which bolts 45 pass to engage the strap. Theframe assists in retaining the battery in position and may be easilyremoved by removing the bolts 45. By means of the pivotal support, thebattery is free to tilt as the frame is tilted during movement in orderto maintain the battery substantially level and avoid the spilling ofliquid thereupon.

' For protecting the supporting framework and storage battery from dirt,the elements and the like, and for providing a pleasing externalappearance a casing 46 is provided having a hinged top 41 which permitsaccess to the interior of the casing. The top is spaced from the offsetends 31 sufficiently that it will not interfere with tilting of thebattery. v

A substantially U-shaped rail '48 is attached to the casing-on the sidecorresponding to that nearestthe standardand extends substantiallyparallel to the handle 30 in order that the assembly frame previouslydescribed by 2 may be easily tilted and to assist in its maneuvermg.

In order to supply electrical current from the storage battery B to thelight 24 suitable wiring is installed through the standard 22 andincludes a switch 49. The switch is of conventional make and may be setto maintain a steady flow of current or to connect the signal light to aconventional bllnker element, not shown, in order to provide a blinkingsignal.

In use the device may be easily moved from one location to another bymeans of the wheels supporting one side thereof, the handle 30, and the'rail 48 being used as needed to assist in its maneuveri'ng.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scopethereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which isshown in the drawings and described in the specification but only asindicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A movable signal comprising a main frame 2 having a front member anda back member connected by side members, depending arms extending fromsaid front member and having alined apertures therein, an axle supportedin said apertures, wheels journaled on said axle, and at least onesupporting leg attached to said back member and adapted to cooperatewith said wheels in maintaining said frame in a horizontal position; astandard mounted s ibstantially midway-of said front member andextending substantially perpendicularly to the plane of said main frame;an electrical signal light mounted on said standard; bracing membersextending from said front member to said standard; a secondary frametransversely disposed to said main frame and having a front memberattached to said standard and spaced from and substantially parallel tothe front member of said main frame, side-members extending fromapproximately the extremities of said front member of said secondaryframe to said side members of said main frame near. the extremities ofsaid side members; struts extending substantially perpendicularly fromapproxi'*- mately the midpoint of said side members of said secondaryframe to said side members of said main frame; rod members extendingfrom said main frame to the extremity of said strut adjacent said sidemembers of said secondary frame, said rod members having offset endportions extending inwardly of said frame and-through said struts toprovide alinedstub axles a storage battery and a carrier therefor havingan upwardly open U-shaped strap with spaced ears extending from theupper extremities thereof, said ears being provided with alinedapertures adapted to receive said stub axles for a pivotal movementthereon, a platform carried by said strapits lower portion and providingan extended su'pport'for said battery a frame connected to the upperportion of said strap and adapted to retain said battery on saidcarrier; an electrical connection from said battery to said light; aflat sheet member for-the reception of data attached to said standardabove said framesfa U shaped handle attached to said sheet member nearits upper extremity and extending away from said frames; a casingsurrounding said frame and said carrier and having a cover piVOtaHyconnected thereto; and a second U-shaped member attached to said casing"and extending outwardly therefrom between said wheels. 73?? 2. Amovable signal comprising a main frame having a front member and a backmember connected by said members, depending arms extending from saidfront member and having alined apertures, an axle supported within saidapertures, wheels journaled on said axle, and at least one supportingleg attached to said back member and adapted to cooperate with saidwheels in maintaining said main frame in a horizontal position; astandard mounted substantially midway of said front member and extendingsubstantially perpendicularly to the plane of said main frame, anelectrical signal light mounted on said standard; a secondary frametransversely disposed to said main frame and having a front memberattached to said standard and spaced from and substantially parallel tosaid front member of said main frame, side members extending fromapproximately the extremities of said front member of said secondaryframe to said side members of said main frame near the extremities ofsaid side members; struts extending from said side members of saidsecondary frame to said side members of said main frame; rod membersextending from said main frame to the extremity of said struts adjacentsaid side members of said secondary frame, said rod members havingoffset end portions extending inward- 1y of said frames and through saidstruts to proyide alined stub axles; a storage battery and a carriertherefor having an upwardly open U- shaped strap with spaced earsextending from the upper extremity of said strap, said ears beingprovided with alined apertures and adapted to receive said stub axlesfor pivotal movement thereabout; and an electrical connection from saidbattery to said light.

3. A readily transportable signal comprising a supporting frame, wheelscarrying one side of said frame and at least one leg connected to andadapted to support the other side of said frame, a standard extendingupwardly from the side of said supporting frame carried by said wheels,an electrical signal light mounted on said standard, a sign attached tosaid standard, rod members extending inwardly of and spaced upwardlyfrom said supporting frame, a carrier pivotally mounted upon said rodmembers, a battery mounted on said carrier, a casing enclosing saidframe and said carrier and spaced sufficiently from said carrier topermit said battery to pivot freely on said rod members, an electricalconnection from said battery to said signal light, a handle extendingoutwardly from said side, and a foot engaging member extending outwardlyfrom said casing.

4. A readily transportable signal comprising a supporting frame, wheelscarrying one side of said frame, at least one leg connected to andadapted to sup ort the other side of said frame, a standard extendingupwardly from said supporting frame, an electrical signal light carriedon said standard, rod members extending inwardly of and spaced upwardlyfrom said supporting frame, a carrier pivotally supported upon said rodmembers, a battery mounted on said carrier, an electrical connectionfrom said battery to said signal light, and a casing enclosing saidframe and said carrier and spaced sufficiently from said carrier topermit a battery mounted thereon to pivot freely.

5. A readily transportable signal comprising a supporting frame, wheelsand supporting legs attached to lower portions of said frame, a standardextending upwardly from said supporting frame, an electrical signallight carried by said standard, a carrier pivoted on said supportingframe and having a pivotal axis substantially parallel to that of saidwheels, a battery mounted on said carrier, and an electrical connectionfrom said battery to said signal light, whereby the signal may bereadily moved on its wheels and the battery maintained in an uprightposition.

6. A readily transportable signal comprising a supporting frame, wheelsand a supporting leg attached to the lower portion of said frame, anelectrical signal light carried by said supporting frame, a carrier fora storage battery pivoted upon said supporting frame and having apivotal axis substantially parallel to that of the wheels, whereby thesignal may be easily tilted for movement on its wheels and the carriermaintained in an upright position, and an electrical connection fromsaid light to a position adjacent said carrier whereby said light may beenergized by a; battery positioned in said carrier.

MAYNARD H. NUSBAUM. DONALD L. BEALL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,546,501 Martus July 12, 19251,951,434 Meehan Mar. 26, 1934 2,025,235 Gonsett Dec. 24, 1935 2,167,564Fonda July 25, 1939 2,375,121 McClellan May 1, 1945

